What You'll Find at Herring Pond

Herring Pond is a shallow kettle pond just south of Plymouth center, roughly 150 acres of dark water lined with pitch pine and oak. The pond holds largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and panfish—bluegill, sunfish, and yellow perch—in the kind of numbers that make it worth a morning or afternoon trip if you're already in the area. The water rarely runs deeper than 12 to 15 feet, and much of it is shallower, which means the fish are compressed into a smaller column and easier to find once you understand the seasonal pattern.

The pond's real draw is that it fishes well year-round without requiring a long drive from Plymouth. Spring and fall are the strongest seasons—bass move shallow to feed, and panfish bite steadily. Summer can be slow in the heat of midday, but early morning and evening produce. Winter is fishable if you're willing to work through the cold, though many anglers skip it.

Key Takeaways

  • Herring Pond holds largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and panfish in shallow water that rarely exceeds 15 feet deep.
  • Spring and fall offer the most consistent fishing; summer requires early morning or evening trips to avoid the midday slowdown.
  • Public access is available at the town boat ramp on Herring Pond Road, which has parking and a small launch for kayaks and canoes.
  • Soft plastics, small crankbaits, and live shiners work for bass; panfish respond to small jigs, spinners, and live worms.
  • Massachusetts fishing license is required; no special permit is needed for Herring Pond itself.

Access and Parking

The public boat ramp sits on Herring Pond Road on the pond's eastern shore. There is a small parking area—roughly a dozen spaces—and a concrete ramp suitable for kayaks, canoes, and small motorboats. The ramp is maintained by the town and is open year-round during daylight hours. Arrive early on weekends, especially in spring and fall, because the lot fills quickly.

If the main ramp is full, there is no reliable secondary access. Some anglers fish from the road shoulders in a few spots, but parking is tight and the sight lines are poor. Your best bet is to come on a weekday or arrive before 8 a.m. on weekends.

Seasonal Patterns and What to Target

Spring (April through May) is when Herring Pond fishes best. Bass move into the shallows to spawn and feed heavily before and after. Work the weed edges, the shallow coves on the north and west shores, and any structure you can spot—fallen trees, brush piles, old dock pilings. Soft plastics in 4 to 6 inch lengths, rigged Texas-style or on a jighead, produce steady strikes. Panfish also move shallow and bite small jigs tipped with live worms or minnows.

Summer (June through August) sees the bass retreat to deeper water and weed beds during the day. Fish early—sunrise to 9 a.m.—and again in the evening after 6 p.m. Midday is slow unless you're willing to fish deeper structure or work the shaded side of the pond. Panfish remain active throughout the day in slightly deeper water, 6 to 10 feet, and respond to small spinners and live bait.

Fall (September through October) rivals spring. Bass feed aggressively as they prepare for winter, and they move back into the shallows. The same tactics that work in spring apply here—soft plastics, small crankbaits, and live shiners all produce. The water cools, and the bite extends into midday. Panfish bite well throughout the season.

Winter (November through March) is slow but not impossible. Bass are lethargic and hold in the deepest holes—the center of the pond and the basin near the dam. Jigging with live minnows or small spoons can work, but you need patience and cold-weather tolerance. Many anglers skip winter on Herring Pond and fish elsewhere.

Tackle and Bait That Work

For largemouth bass, bring soft plastics in natural colors—black, green pumpkin, watermelon—in 4 to 6 inch lengths. Rig them on 1/4 to 3/8 ounce jigheads for shallow water, or Texas-rigged on 3/16 to 1/4 ounce weights. Small crankbaits in shad patterns also work, especially in spring and fall. If you want to throw live bait, shiners in the 3 to 4 inch range produce strikes from larger bass.

Panfish respond to small jigs—1/32 to 1/16 ounce—tipped with live worms, small minnows, or soft plastic bodies. Spinners in sizes 0 and 1 work well, especially in the morning. If you're after bluegill and sunfish specifically, a simple bobber rig with a live worm suspended 2 to 4 feet below the surface will catch fish all day, particularly near weed edges and along the shoreline.

Chain pickerel are an incidental catch on most bass and panfish setups, but they'll also hit small spoons and spinners. If you're targeting them specifically, use slightly heavier tackle—they have sharp teeth and will fray lighter line.

What to Know Before You Go

You need a valid Massachusetts fishing license to fish Herring Pond. Licenses are available online through the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife website, at most sporting goods stores, and at some town halls. A freshwater license covers all ponds in the state and is valid for one year from the date of purchase.

There is no horsepower limit on Herring Pond, but the shallow water and weed growth mean you should run at idle speed in most areas. Kayaks and canoes are ideal for this pond—they let you cover water quietly and access the shallow coves where bass hide. If you're launching a motorboat, watch for submerged stumps and weed beds, especially in summer.

The pond is surrounded by private property, so stay on the water. Do not wade or fish from the shoreline except at the public ramp area. Respect posted signs and do not trespass.

Nearby Water If Herring Pond Is Crowded

If the parking lot is full or you want a backup option, Assawompsett Pond in Middleborough is about 15 minutes away and holds similar species—largemouth bass, pickerel, and panfish. It's larger and often less crowded. Manomet Pond, also near Plymouth, is smaller and shallower but can fish well in spring and fall.

For saltwater options, the Herring Run itself—which connects Herring Pond to the harbor—holds striped bass and sea-run brown trout in spring and fall. Access is limited, but if you have a kayak, it's worth exploring during the herring run migration in April and May.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Herring Pond year-round?

Yes. The pond is open to fishing all year, though winter is slow and many anglers focus on spring through fall. Summer requires early morning or evening trips to avoid the midday slowdown when the water warms.

Do I need a boat to fish Herring Pond?

No. A kayak or canoe is ideal and gives you access to the shallow coves where fish hide. If you don't have a boat, you can fish from the ramp area, though your options are limited. Wading is not permitted except at the public launch.

What's the best time of day to fish?

Spring and fall: sunrise to mid-morning, and again in the evening after 5 p.m. Summer: sunrise to 9 a.m., and after 6 p.m. Winter: midday is often better than early morning because the water is slightly warmer.

Are there size or catch limits on Herring Pond?

Massachusetts sets statewide limits: largemouth bass have a 12-inch minimum with a 5-fish daily limit; panfish have no minimum and no daily limit. Chain pickerel have a 15-inch minimum with a 10-fish daily limit. Check the current Massachusetts fishing regulations before you go, as rules can change.

Is the ramp suitable for larger boats?

The ramp is small and best suited to kayaks, canoes, and boats under 18 feet. If you have a larger motorboat, you may have difficulty launching, especially if the lot is crowded. Call the Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department to confirm conditions before you arrive.